Part 1: Murder Returns to Timber Grove

[segeorge]

David Webber
Mmm, he offers noncomitally, not sure where else to take the conversation. Probably that it's just outside my frame of reference. I probably need to get out more, he adds with a friendly grim.

[funfungiguy]

This is the first time I've been contacted as well. I'm from Philly, but I live in San Diego now, sort of, having recently graduated from SDSU. I'm trying to keep some sort of roof over my head as a freelance writer. I recently did a food review of Rocci's Pasta and Pizza in the Gaslamp Quarters for the San Diego Streetwalker... Gave it three-and-a-half out of five tines... You might have read it? I'm pretty sure literally dozens of people have read it. It was tucked in there between the article about the Seal at La Jolla beach that someone spraypainted the 'F-word' on and the advertisement for Madame Shrew's Escort Services? No? Well...

I drove up here in my Beetle, which is also sort of my house. I'm hoping the news around here is worth a little more money than it is where I came from.

[segeorge]

David Webber
I think that's how Steinbeck started. And Fitzgerald finished.

If I'm ever in San Diego, I'll definitely look up the place...uh, Rocci's, not the escort service!

I'm from the East Coast, too. Alexandria, Virginia. But I've been living here for over a decade.

[sniderman]

The five of you meet in the lobby at the designated time. Jack is the first to arrive, taking a seat at a corner table. He helps himself to some of the complimentary coffee near the front desk. Taking a sip and grimacing at the bitterness, Jack pulls his tablet out of his messenger bag. He initially calls up The Society's database (you all have access to it) to research local superstitions involving things that decapitate.

[[SPECIFIC check versus Computers skill to see if you can locate any pertinent information. Results:
Computers skill: 80 - Rolled 89 (FAILED) ]]

The Society's database is so vast with an assortment of horrors and terrors, that something as general as "decapitators" brings up 232 separate entries. Jack sneers and continues to dig into the database...

Webb is the next to enter the lobby. He spies Jack from across the room, tapping his tablet in veiled frustration.

“Hi, Jack, right?” Jack looks up. “Anything new? Or just checking ebay?” Webb offers a practiced, friendly smile. Jack returns the smile politely, then goes back to his online invetigative work. Shrugging, Webb takes a seat as well and brings out his Smartphone. He decides to see if he can dig up any information on the original Paul Bunyon case – specifically any references to "demons" that Baxter may have made at the time of the first set of killings.

[[SPECIFIC check versus Computers skill to locate specific "demon" information from Baxter's original interviews from 40 years ago. Results:
Computers skill: 70 - Rolled 88 (FAILED) ]]

Webb pokes around for information on the original murders, but finds nothing more in-depth than a Wikipedia entry that mentions it in passing. The original Society email you got had just as much info, it seems.

Lucas is the next to enter. He greets the others in a friendly confident manner, and is a bit put-off to see the two others slouched over their respective electronic devices. "When in Rome..." he thinks to himself, as he then sits down in an empty chair and pulls out a tablet and keyboard of his own. Lucas decides to put his Journalism skills to use to try to call up any clipping or articles regarding the original murders and Baxter's trial.

[[SPECIFIC check versus Journalism skill to locate any articles or clippings about the murders and trial. Results:
Journalism skill: 77 - Rolled 62 - Margin of Success 15
Action Table results: 15 "Attack Margin" cross-indexed with Column 3 "Skill Checks" = MK result (MODERATE SUCCESS) ]]

Lucas' eyebrows furrow as he reads what he's found with interest. (CM NOTE: Nathan, watch your email for the article you've found...)

Magnus and Hal enter the lobby at the same time. They both are amused by the sight of their compatriots all engaged in some manner of electronic research.

"Afternoon, gents. Nice place we have here, eh?" Magnus says. No one looks up.

"Oh, I see you're all on those damned smart phones, I can't stand those things," he says. "I've never had my feet fail me, there is just no substitute for good, old-fashioned legwork."

Hal nods in agreement.

"I quite agree, good Magnus, that the Google beast is no match for time in a good library, museum, or reading room when it comes to true research," Hal offers. "That said, I'm not bereft of technology myself: I find it makes notekeeping a bit easier. A good smartphone can be handy business."

Magnus leaves the others to their devices, and he and Hal walk over to the desk clerk. Magnus' intent is to interview the hotel desk attendant, to see if he was on duty the day of the murders and generally looking for information on the hotel visitors that day. The clerk is a blonde-haired fellow, poorly shaven, wearing a sweater vest and a look of boredom.

"Excuse me ... Jason," Magus says (looking at the clerk's name tag). "My name is Magnus Villefort, and this is my friend Hal Armitage. I'm a private investigator looking into the recent murders in the Tillamook State Forest. Mind if we ask you a few questions?"

[[GENERAL check versus Personality score to see how receptive the clerk will be to being questioned. Results:
Personality score: 52 - Rolled 48 (SUCCEED) ]]

"Uh, sure, that'd be OK," Jason answers a bit nervously.

Magnus asks Jason about any odd or strange hotel guests on the days surrounding the murders. Jason was on duty that day, but he explains there weren't any overnight guests that night. "We really don't get any visitors during the off season," he says. "My friends and I have been talking about these killings, and there haven't been any strangers in town recently that we can recall." He narrows his eyes slightly. "Except for you folks, of course."

Hal clears his throat. Magnus turns at the interruption, and Jason goes back to completing some basic form-filing behind the counter.

"It seems our new friend Jason here has confirmed that there haven't been any strange or unusual visitors to the area recently," Hal summarizes. "I say we interrogate this Baxter fellow, then head to do some research to find out what we might be up against.

(CM NOTE: The continuing conversations between some of you I've skipped over to process the pertinent "moves" that were made. Carry on!)

[segeorge]

OOC: I put a more detailed post in the Casual Banter thread, but here are the main points:

David Webber

Having read the article that Lucas uncovered, Web has some semantic questions: The article mentions that the bodies were “buried around” Baxter's shack. Does “around” mean “in the vicinity” or “circling.” And was he “protecting his property” from those he killed, or with those he killed? Could the corpses have been meant as some kind of magical protection from this “demon”?

Addressing Hal: What do you think, professor? Have you ever heard of anything like that?


Using his smart phone, Web checks to see if the trial transcript is available online – otherwise he finds a point of contact to request the transcript.

[greyarea]

Hal Armitage thinks upon David's query. That sounds vaguely familiar, let me check my notes, and he does so on his phone looking up old notes.

[funfungiguy]

Lucas sits and patiently waits until it's time to head out for the interview.

[sniderman]

Lucas calls the others around and shows them the article he’s found. Everyone has a chance to review the short newspaper article with a few interesting tidbits about the original murders and Baxter’s statement.

"Fascinating, I'll feel better once we have more info,” Jack opines. “Something running around snipping off heads in this manner is a bit unnerving."

"Interesting, eh?” Magnus agrees. “We'll want to compare the method and location of the most recent killings with these. We can stop at the ranger station, when we get around to visiting the State Forest."

“Yes, very interesting,” Webb says. “So, Baxter didn’t mention a “demon” in ’73. But apparently he said that "protecting his property" was his motive. The article mentions that the bodies were “buried around” his shack. I wonder if “around” means “in the vicinity” or “circling.” And was he “protecting his property” from those he killed, or with those he killed? Could the corpses have been meant as some kind of magical protection from this “demon”?”

He turns to Hal. “What do you think, professor? Have you ever heard of anything like that?”

Hal purses his lips in thought and considers Webb’s query; that perhaps the positioning of the original victims’ bodies could have some significance – perhaps as a warding ceremony?

[[Hal makes a SPECIFIC check versus his Anthropology skill to see if he recalls any specific information of use. Results:
Anthropology skill: 99 - Rolled 01 - Margin of Success 98 (HOLY CRAP)
Action Table results: 98 "Attack Margin" cross-indexed with Column 3 "Skill Checks" = CK result (CRITICAL SUCCESS) ]]

Hal nods his head vigorously. “I had that same thought before my arrival here. I reviewed some rough sketches made of the original crime scene I had managed to track down that showed the positioning of the corpses around Baxter’s shanty. There was no rhyme nor reasoning as to their placement; they were buried haphazardly upon completion of each killing. There were no wards, symbols, or other telltale portents found at the scene, so I’m lead to believe that Baxter isn’t some underground cultist. When he discussed “protecting” his property, I believe it was the rantings of a paranoid lunatic than anything arcane in nature. I also doubt his claims of contact with a “demon” being diabolic or infernal in nature as the clues just aren’t there. On the other hand, I also don’t have a clue as to what he might be talking about either.”

“Sorry for the long-winded explanation, but I’m confident that there’s nothing demonic involved in the past…or now,” Hal concludes.

At the same time, Webb wonders if the original police report is available online to confirm the specific arrangement of the bodies, or perhaps in the trial transcript. As a matter of public record, he assumes it should be easy enough to get. Using his smart phone, Webb checks to see if the transcript is available online – otherwise he tries to find a point of contact to request the transcript.

[[Webb makes a GENERAL check versus Investigation skill to check on the online availability of the trial transcript and/or original police report. Results:
Investigation skill: 75 - Rolled 89 - FAILED ]]

“I can’t seem to find any of the official records regarding the trial online,” Webb concludes. “Looks like we’ll just have to poke around in the paperwork while we’re here in town. Should be easy enough to access.”

Lucas looks at his watch and realizes that time grows short. Baxter is due to arrive at the police station for the transfer in about 20 minutes.

“What is eveyone’s ideas regarding when we should head out, and how many vehicles should we take?” Lucas asks the assembled team, pointing at his watch face while he asks. “I wonder if we shouldn't go in at least a couple of carloads though, in case we decide later on to follow separate leads or something.”

[greyarea]

Hal nods his head in agreement. At least three cars, I'd say. I can drive: I still have my rental outside. Who's coming with me to interview Baxter at the station? He taps his cane unconsciously as he waits for a reply.

[merias]

Hal nods his head in agreement. At least three cars, I'd say. I can drive: I still have my rental outside. Who's coming with me to interview Baxter at the station? He taps his cane unconsciously as he waits for a reply.

"I'll hitch with you, Hal," Magnus says.